Focus and hospitality

Paul does a great miracle this week.  It begins with focus; focus of Paul on the person suffering; focus of the lame man on Paul.  In our culture, focus seems so difficult.  In this story we discover the power of focus; and how this fits in with hospitality and worship.
(We had a new microphone on Sunday.  It took a few minutes into the sermon for audio quality to become sharp).

Seeds of Faith

This past Lent our congregation tried something unique and bold:  We gave each person $10 and challenged them to use to spread a seed of faith and God's love.  It was amazing to see what people did!  After church we had a wonderful celebration of this.  For my sermon today I focused on the parable of the seeds and how we are called to plant seeds of faith, not just in this project, but every day of our lives.

Easter Morning

Life has its dark and ambiguous moments.  What helps us understand and see God's resurrection at work?  What gives us confidence and hope?  In the resurrection account in Matthew's Gospel, what finally gives the first women calm and confidence is the presence of Jesus.  Throughout the Gospel, when Jesus reveals his presence, his peace calms the storms of those around him.  The good news of Easter is that the peaceful presence of Jesus Christ is ours today because he lives and is present for us.

Our identity in Christ

This week we heard the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).  Before we get to the "going and making disciples", we need to hear the words from Jesus regarding Baptism.  In our Baptism, we receive God's name (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).  In Baptism, thus, we learn who we are, namely, children of God.  This is the identity that motivates and makes possible spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ around the world.

Easter Sonrise

The Easter story doesn't begin with bunnies or candy.  It begins in a tomb.  It is a story of resurrection over death.  But in order to process and understand resurrection, we must process death too.  In my sermon I proclaim why we as Christians can actually say good-bye to our loved ones.

Palm Sunday: Jesus as Super Hero

Palm Sunday's story is made for Hollywood: A dramatic ticker-tape parade, the overturning of the tables in the Temple and then the healing of the blind and lame. In many ways, the Gospels set up Jesus as Super Hero...Except for one key point:  He doesn't have a tragic flaw.  So what gives?